The first national standard construction contracts and forms are produced by CCA.

The apprenticeship training system for construction trades was first established in Ontario with help from CCA. In 1927 CCA reported that over $1,500 existed in a special fund dedicated toward the organization of a scheme of apprenticeship training. Toronto was selected as the location where CCA would first work with provincial technical schools and other educational authorities to explore the idea. By 1928, the first apprenticeship training system was working in Ontario and the Ontario government was persuaded to pass the Ontario Apprenticeship Act.

Amendment to Letters Patent changing name to the Canadian Construction Association

1928

1928 conference

1928 cover of the conference program

1928 conference program

1929 conference

1930’s

A “Soup kitchen” during the Depression

Under the theme Recovery by Construction, CCA convinced the federal government to kick-start the failing Canadian economy through a federal public works construction program (i.e. The Public Works Construction Act of 1934) that provided $40 million in public works projects, including many construction projects in Canada’s national parks and historic sites. CCA’s efforts also led to the enactment of the Dominion and National Housing Acts. The Dominion Housing Act of 1935 was to assist in the improvement of housing conditions and in the absorption of unemployment by stimulation of the construction and building material industries. The National Housing Act of 1938 promoted the construction of new houses, the repair and modernization of existing houses, and the improvement of housing and living conditions.

19. Relief project in Rockcliffe, early 1930s
To counter the high levels of unemployment brought on by the Depression, the federal government established a series of work projects to provide small incomes to the jobless and simultaneously improve the public infrastructure. The work project shown here was set up to widen roads and reinforce embankments in Rockcliffe. Many of the local projects focused on rebuilding Ottawa’s sewage system, which had been extensively damaged by gas explosions in 1929 and 1931.
National Archives of Canada C-020012

1930’s

1932 cover of the CCA membership roster

1933 CCA stimulus proposal

During the Depression, CCA also formed the National Construction Council, which included the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, CCA, and other national organizations. The council was initially charged with coming up with recommendations as to how to enhance employment in the construction industry and how to enhance the construction market in Canada.

In addition, to ease the unemployment situation, CCA pioneered the idea of winter construction. Until the early 1930s, construction essentially halted in November.

CCA 1934 conference theme “Recovery by Construction”

Construction of the Lion’s Gate Bridge

1940’s

CCA is an active participant in the creation of Canada’s Unemployment Insurance Program. CCA was a long-standing member of the federal government’s Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council. During the war year, CCA partnered with the federal government to support Canada’s war efforts through critical war-time defence projects.

25th Anniversary Book cover 1943

1940’s

Congratulatory letter from Prime Minister King 1943

By 1947 construction volume topped $1 billion for the first time. By 1948 it reached over $2.5 billion.

1943 article by C.D. Howe on the construction industry war effort

Construction of the Alaskan Highway

1950’s

1951 cover of the CCA membership roster

CCA works with the federal government in a post-World War II reconstruction effort including the retraining and employment of veterans within the construction industry. The CCA Advisory Committee on Materials to the Federal Government greatly helped to overcome post-war shortages.

Construction volume $4 billion.

1950’s

First national highway policy 1953

1954

CCA introduces the first national industry Code of Practice.

Inaugural Code of Good Practice 1954

1954

Construction of the Trans-Canada Highway

Lorne Bain, chairman of the CCA membership committee, with a membership chart.

CCA membership tops 1,000.

1955

Official opening of Construction House –October 17, 1955, Ottawa
The late Right Honourable C.D. Howe, P.C., (centre) Minister of Trade & Commerce and of Defence Production for Canada is shown congratulating CCA president W.G. “Bert” Malcom, (left) of Winnipeg, Man., after officially opening “Construction House”, the association’s new headquarters office building in Ottawa, by unveiling a plaque in the lobby. On the right is the mayor of Ottawa at the time, Dr. Charlotte Whitton, C.B.E. October 17, 1955

CCA opens Construction House showcasing new construction materials and methods.

Construction of the Diefenbunker

1955

Construction House exterior view, Ottawa

1960's

CCA’s Canadian Centennial Project included commissioning a special series of studies on labour relations in the construction industry. This led to the publication of a 670-page report authored by John Crispo and Carl Goldenberg that laid the groundwork for province-wide bargaining and the development of single bargaining agencies for employers in most Canadian provinces.

Cover of the Crispo-Goldenberg report

1960's

The Hon. Walter Gordon (l.), Minister of finance and Armand Trottier, of Quebec City, CCA national vice-president, are shown shaking hands after the presentation of the CCA’s brief to the Hon. Lester B. Pearson and members of his cabinet on April 13, 1964. Looking on (l. to r.) are; W.H.T. Wilson, Toronto; J.H. Oland, Lethbridge; P.J. McNally, Hamilton and J.B. Waterhouse, Toronto.

Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson is shown with (l. to r.) Armand Trottier, Quebec City, Que., CCA president after the presentation of the Canadian Construction Association’s to the federal government on June 23, 1966.

Construction volume $11.5 billion.

CCA 50th anniversary. Some of the delegates attending the CCA’s Golden Anniversary Convention, 1968. A similar picture was taken on the steps of the Chateau Laurier on the Founding Convention in 1918.

Construction of Expo ’67

1970's

PM Pierre Trudeau with CCA’s R.G. Saunders, 1970

CCA’s calls for metrication of the construction industry in Canada lead to “M-Day” on January 1, 1978.

CCA integration progress report, 1974

1977 CCA membership benefits

1970's

Syncrude Plant at Mildrid Lake, 1978

Metric conversion ad 1974. Construction goes metric January 1, 1978. It was the first day of the Metric Construction Year in which the Canadian construction industry would work mainly in the SI (système internationale). Illustration courtoisie de la Commission du système métrique, Ottawa.
Artwork courtesy Metric Commission, Ottawa.

Construction de la Tour CN

Construction of CN Tower

1980's

CCA brings “TRIP- The Road Information Program” to Canada, 1983.

TRIP/Canada is born, 1983

1980's

Prime Minister Mulroney meets with CCA.

Construction of the SkyDome.

1991

First Gold Seal Certification recipients

CCA simplifies the transition to GST for the construction industry. In 1991, CCA increases its support for industry professionalism, taking over the Gold Seal Certification program.

CCA helps to convince federal government to opt for infrastructure investment as the central theme of its economic stimulus plan following the recession of 2008 – 2009. This included the CCA president participating in a special edition of the CBC’s Dragon’s Den television show that aired January 21 and 23, 2009.

2011

2011

CCA is a co-founder of the Institute for BIM in Canada established “to lead and facilitate the coordinated use of building information modeling (BIM) in the design, construction and management of the Canadian built environment.

2013

2013

CCA establishes CCInnovations to provide the necessary framework to enhance industry-wide collaboration for innovation in the construction industry, with the aim to increase competitiveness, productivity and financial performance.